Ex-Goldman programmer faces second verdict appeal

An ex-Goldman Sachs programmer who twice won reversal of guilty verdicts for taking the firm’s high-frequency trading code when he left for another job isn’t yet in the clear as prosecutors press an appeal.

Aleynikov was convicted by a Manhattan jury in May of stealing Goldman’s computer code. Earlier this month, a judge overturned the verdict after finding that state law didn’t outlaw his conduct. A federal jury in 2010 found Aleynikov guilty of stealing intellectual property, only to have an appeals court toss that finding.

Aleynikov’s lawyer, Kevin Marino, said in a statement that he’s confident Justice Daniel Conviser’s 'sound, 72-page decision' on July 6 will be upheld on appeal. To pursue an appeal is 'inexcusable' because there was no evidence at the trial that Aleynikov sought to acquire the 'major portion' of the code’s value, as the law requires, Marino said.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.